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Russia’s propaganda machine continues to push a dangerous myth: that it—and it alone—won World War II. But the truth is far more complex. Victory over Nazi Germany came through the shared sacrifice of all Soviet republics and the critical support of the United States and its Allies.
Millions of Ukrainians, Belarusians, and other non-Russian nationalities fought and died in the Red Army. Some republics, like Belarus, lost over a quarter of their entire population. Meanwhile, through the Lend-Lease program, the United States provided the Soviet Union with essential equipment, food, and supplies—without which the Eastern Front might have collapsed.
Below, we present data and historical context that expose the facts and help counter the Kremlin’s false narrative. Let’s ensure that history remains a tool for truth, not a weapon of manipulation.
This campaign is dedicated to restoring historical clarity. We aim to honor the memory of all who fought tyranny—not just those the Kremlin chooses to glorify. We remember, and we refuse to let history be twisted into a political weapon.
Estimated losses for each Soviet Republic
In 2004 Historian Vadim Erlikman pegged total war deaths at 10.7 million, exceeding the previous Krivosheev's estimate of 8.7 million by an extra two million. This extra two million would presumably include Soviet POWs that died in Nazi captivity, partisans, and militia.
While Russia claims the victory for itself and has officially denied the Ukrainian role in the fight against the Nazis, Ukraine paid the biggest price for victory in the Second World War among the former USSR republics. As a vital contributor to the Red Army and a key provider of industrial resources in the USSR, Ukraine incurred the largest number of casualties during WWII.
The real number of victims during WWII is still not fully known. Some relevant data is still held in Russian archives and is not available for non-Russian researchers.
However, of the 41.7 million people living in the Ukrainian Soviet Republic before the war, only 27.4 million were alive in Ukraine in 1945, according to the Ukrainian MFA.
Some official data says that at least 8 million Ukrainians lost their lives including 5.5 - 6 million civilians, and more than 2.5 million natives of Ukraine were killed at the front.
The data varies between 8 to 14 million killed, however, only 6 million have been identified.
Glory to Heroes!
During World War II, the human cost was devastating across all Soviet republics — not just the Russian SFSR. In fact, Belarus (Byelorussian SSR) suffered the highest relative losses, with over 25% of its populationperishing. Ukraine (16.6%), Armenia (13.6%), and Latvia (13.8%) also endured staggering losses, comparable to or exceeding those of Russia (12.7%).
These numbers reveal a crucial truth: the burden of victory was shared, and many non-Russian republics paid an equally — or even higher — price in human life.
In total, over 11 million non-Russians served in the Red Army during the war.
Ukrainians were the second-largest national group in the Soviet armed forces.
These estimates reflect 1944 personnel data when mobilization had reached peak levels and replacements from across the USSR had been fully integrated.
Estimated Ethnic Composition of the Red Army (1941–1945)
Estimated losses for each Soviet Republic
*The source of the figures on the table is Vadim Erlikman. Poteri narodonaseleniia v XX veke : spravochnik. Moscow 2004. ISBN 5-93165-107-1 pp. 23–35 Erlikman notes that these figures are his estimates. This table includes civilian losses in Transcaucasian and Central Asian republics due to famine and disease caused by wartime shortfalls estimated by Vadim Erlikman.
Russia didn’t win WWII alone.
Millions from across the USSR fought and died.
The U.S. and Allies made victory possible through vital aid.
We’re exposing the truth behind the myth.